{czech nativity}

Thank-you 
to everyone who left such flattering comments on my {holiday home tour 2010} post! They gave me such joy!


 Many of you admired my paper Czech nativity, wondering where I got it from. Since there was an overwhelming interest I thought I'd write a post about it AND I wanted to give one of favourite bloggers, Dana from Bungalow 56 some joy. She admired my nativity so I am linking up to her "Finding Joy" link party.


 Here is a bit of family history behind that nativity. My parents have the same nativity,  which they displayed every year at Christmas time. So beautifully illustrated {designed in 1923}, this version of the nativity has been part of Christmas since I was little that I was thrilled when my dad bought it for my sister and I on one of their trips to Prague. It came on a large sheet of card stock which you painstackingly cut out each figurine. The nativity is designed to be  displayed with each figurine taped to a platform, but I decided to glue a bamboo skewer to the back of each character and then poke the skewer into a batting covered foam. 



The figurines in the nativity are all representatives of typical villagers in a Czech village wearing traditional Czech dress, each bearing a gift to the Christ child, something they specialize in, for example, a musician is playing a violin, a baker is bringing bread, and we can't forget the neighbourhood pub owner who is even bringing a pint of beer {the Czechs like their beer}. As a child I loved to stare at the scene and make up stories in my head about each figurine. I love how beautifully illustrated each piece is, with so much detail.

What I am thrilled to share with each of you is that after a quick internet search you can download and create your own nativity!

All you need is some really good card stock and a great colour printer.


To download and print one just like mine you can find it here.

The fun doesn't stop here, I found another web site that has a plethora of more traditional Czech nativities that you can download and put together. 
The website is called the "Crechemania Store", it is full of free and for purchase creche downloads such as this one
You can even print ornaments, fold out nativities, and little houses to create a village.





Merry Christmas,
Barbara

11 comments

  1. What a beautiful idea! Simply beautiful.

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  2. I'm so glad you decided to post more about your Czech Nativity scene Barbara - it is so beautiful. And, thanks for finding sites to download. I don't have a Nativity scene so I might just have to download one for next year.

    If I don't talk to you again before Christmas - I hope you have a great one!
    Alissa

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  3. Wonderful! And such a meaningful heritage and tradition, too.

    =)

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  4. This is truly a remarkable gift. Thank you so much for going to the trouble of finding it during this busy time. I am thrilled! I collect Nativity Scenes and hadn't seen anything like this until your post. It is something we will definitely try making. I am so glad you joined up for our finding Joy post.
    I know I'm filled with Joy because if it, right now!
    Dana

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  5. The nativity is beautiful - I love that you and your sister can continue a much-loved family tradition, creating memories for your children too & connecting them with their Czeck heritage!! We have a few Norwegian traditions we follow around here, too - passed down by my Great Grandmother. Your bamboo stick stuck into covered foam solution is perfect: the figures look great! :-)
    Victoria

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  6. Hi, such beautiful home you have :) May I ask what are the paint colours for your walls and trims? Thank you :)

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  7. Your nativity scene is so charming, and such a wonderful tradition to display it every Christmas.

    It was so thoughtful of you to find the scene online for your readers :-)

    Merry Christmas!

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  8. Cupkek: All the paint colours are Benjamin Moore, the entrance/hallway is Thousand Islands, the family room is Buttercream and the Living Room/Dining room is a custom mix - a shade lighter than Putnam Ivory. Since I am renting, I don't know the trim colour, it is white but knowing the paint that was left begin my guess it is a basic white in semi-gloss.

    Glad you liked them as I am thinking of re-painting!

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  9. So neat that you all have the same beautiful nativity that you had growing up. What a great gift! Thanks for sharing the download with us...I'm going to check it out!

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  10. I'm so glad I came to visit you from Dana's. In this case it is truly better late than never. My sister would adore this nativitiy. I will be sending her this link as soon as I publish this comment.

    Thank you for your generosity of spirit in finding this gift for your readers.

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  11. Thank you so much for the link to the Czech nativity! My Dad's family is Czech American and I'm looking forward to putting this on display this year!

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